Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Blueprint (my favorite magazine) is all about the holidays this month. It has a very useful guide on holiday tipping. Fortunately for me - I moved from a building that had 4 doormen, 2 porters, 1 super and 1 mailman to one that has a locked lobby door (if I'm lucky!)

So what's up with the whole tipping thing anyway?Ms. Judith Martin (aka Miss Manners) and Thomas Blaikie author of To the Manner Born: A Most Proper Guide to Modern Civility state it perfectly - "Historically, tips helped lower-paid workers meet the extra expenses of the holiday season," The custom has endured as a way to acknowledge those whose efforts are often much grander than their hourly rates: from the doorman who signs for your packages to the house cleaner who saved your relationship. So beat back your inner Scrooge. "We must acknowledge that some jobs are inadequately compensated because of the expectation that the customer will make up the difference," says syndicated columnist Judith Martin, aka Miss Manners. (source: Blueprint)

Here are some highlights from the TIPPING LIST...

Holiday Tipping Guidelines:

Assistant: gift (varies based on corporate culture and how long he's worked for you)Boss: small gift (if it's customary in your workplace) or holiday card

Babysitter: up to two nights' payDay-care worker: up to $75 giftHouse cleaner: one week's pay (if you use a service that sends a different person each time, skip the tip)Nanny/au pair: one week's to one month's pay, based on length of tenure and regional customsNewspaper deliverer: $10 to $30 Mail carrier: up to $20 gift. Government employees are not permitted to accept anything higher than $20.Dog groomer: cost of a visitDog walker: one week's payDentist/doctor: holiday card

Doorman: $20 to $100 (ask around your building, and tip those who help you the most more generously)Building superintendent: $20 to $200 (ask around your building)

Facialist: cost of a visitHair stylist: cost of a visitMassage therapist: cost of a visitManicurist/pedicurist: cost of a visitPersonal trainer: the cost of a session (if she's affiliated with your gym, you don't need to tip, but you could give a gift)